Euros delay means we will see if Liverpool trio are up for the fight

With Liverpool currently undergoing their own period of self-isolation following the Premier League’s announcement to suspend the season until April 30 there has been much confusion regarding players with contracts set to expire at the end of the campaign.

Yet, throughout Liverpool’s record-breaking league campaign, there have been figures in the team who have failed to live up to the billing and risk being discarded at the end of the season.

According to The Daily Mirror, as many as six Liverpool stars could be offloaded come the end of the 2019/20 campaign.

The likes of Xherdan Shaqiri, Adam Lallana and Divock Origi are all amongst those who are very likely to leave Anfield once the season eventually concludes.

All of the aforementioned trio have failed to make a sustained impact on the team – who are just two victories away from finally winning that elusive Premier League title.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 04: Divock Origi of Liverpool celebrates with teammate Xherdan Shaqiri after scoring his team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC at Anfield on December 04, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

UEFA announced this week that the Euros will be postponed until 2021.

This is undoubtedly a blow to a large bulk of Liverpool’s squad who had aspirations of achieving international stardom with their respected countries.

However, it does present Liverpool with an opportunity to bind their time when planning for the 2020/21 season which could see the Reds begin a potential title defence.

With this in mind, and with Liverpool likely to wrap up the title sooner rather than later, once the season eventually proceeds, it will allow Klopp to test whether some of his fringe players have what it takes to prove that their futures belong at Liverpool.

The Euros being moved takes much of the ambiguity out of the picture for now. All the focus from now until the season does conclude will be solely on Liverpool and not on national team commitments.

Either the likes of Lallana, Shaqiri and Origi are up for it, or they aren’t. But if they are not then it gives Liverpool more time and a greater incentive to make the right decision.

Stroud born sports journalist from the south. Has covered the Reds home and away from the press-box and has had work published for the Liverpool ECHO.
Still playing the beautiful game in England’s ninth tier who compares himself to a less good version of Joel Matip. Madrid 19 still remains the best night of his life.